Collaborative Research: Capitalizing on Opportunity: Narrowing the Gender Divide in Engineering and Computer Science through Professional Development

智力优势：这是老道明大学和诺福克州立大学之间为期三年的合作研究项目，研究工程（ENG）和计算机科学（CS）学生职业认同发展中的性别问题。培养职业身份可以帮助学生在STEM领域产生归属感，最终有助于留住本科生。本项目以社会认知职业理论（SCCT）为基础，研究学生利用课堂外的自我发展机会发展职业认同的机制。本项目将SCCT这一成熟的理论框架应用于资本化这一新的研究领域。使用SCCT调查资本化有助于理解STEM中的性别差异以及更广泛的社会心理学和资本化文献。使用多种研究方法，包括定性关键事件访谈，定量纵向调查和准实验设计来测试资本化培训的效用。该提案包括几个基准和一个经验丰富的评估员来监督项目的所有评估和统计方面。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究通过确定在努力增加STEM性别平等方面的干预机制，有助于人力资本的发展。训练实验有望产生基于证据的方法来改进资本化前词和资本化；因此，有助于职业认同的发展，从而为女性创造公平的竞争环境。由于资本化是一种自我发展技能，可以在劳动力中产生积极的效益，因此在本科阶段培养的技能也将有助于STEM专业人员的发展和保留。考察一所历史上的黑人大学和一所以白人为主的大学，拓宽了跨语境对资本化的理解。扩展关于每种大学类型的支持和障碍的知识库提供了一个机会，以获得一套共同的？最佳实践?适用范围广。研究成果将通过互动网站分享；国际、国家和区域会议和期刊出版物；以及针对全国相关部门和专业协会的宣传册和电子邮件活动。

Intellectual Merit: This is a three-year collaborative research project between Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University examining gender issues in professional identity development among engineering (ENG) and computer science (CS) students. Developing professional identity can help engender a sense of belonging in the STEM field that ultimately contributes to undergraduate retention. Grounded in social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this project investigates the mechanisms by which professional identity is developed when students capitalize on self-development opportunities available outside of the classroom. This project applies SCCT, a well established theoretical framework, to capitalization, a new area of research. Investigating capitalization using SCCT contributes to understanding gender differences in STEM and to the broader social psychology and capitalization literatures. Multiple research methods are used, including qualitative critical incident interviews, quantitative longitudinal surveys, and quasi-experimental design to test utility of capitalization training. The proposal includes several benchmarks and an experienced evaluator to oversee all assessment and statistical aspects of the project. Broader Impacts: The proposed research contributes to the development of human capital by identifying mechanisms for intervention in the effort to increase gender equity in STEM. The training experiment is expected to yield evidenced-based methods for improving capitalization antecedents and capitalization; and, as a result, contribute to the development of professional identity, thereby leveling the playing field for women. Since capitalization is a self-development skill known to yield positive benefits in the workforce, skills developed at the undergraduate level will contribute to the development and retention of STEM professionals as well. Examining a Historically Black University and a Predominantly White University broadens the understanding of capitalization across contexts. Expanding the knowledge base regarding supports and barriers at each university type provides the opportunity to derive a common set of ?best practices? with wide applicability. Research findings will be shared via an interactive website; international, national and regional conferences and journal publications; and brochures and email campaigns targeted to relevant departments and professional societies nationally.